The ksar and its lanes
Restored family houses, workshops and stairways built entirely from local earth, some still inhabited.
Southern Morocco · UNESCO World Heritage
Ait Ben Haddou
The earthen city on the old caravan road to Timbuktu.
Why travellers come
Visiting Ait Ben Haddou
Ait Ben Haddou is a fortified ksar of packed earth and straw rising above the Ounila river, built on the caravan route that once linked the Sahara with Marrakech. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987.
You cross the riverbed on foot and climb through the lanes to the old granary at the summit. The view from the top — palm valley on one side, bare red hills on the other — is one of the best of the whole journey.
It is the single most striking piece of architecture between Marrakech and the desert, and it takes only an hour or two to see properly.
Travel information
- From Marrakech
- About 4 hours via Tizi n'Tichka
- Typical visit
- 1.5 to 2 hours including the climb
- Terrain
- Uneven earthen steps — wear proper shoes
- Status
- UNESCO World Heritage site
Main attractions
What to see in Ait Ben Haddou
The places worth your time, and roughly how they fit into a day on the road.
The hilltop granary
A short climb to the agadir at the top, with a full panorama over the valley and the modern village opposite.
Film history
Used repeatedly as a location for historical and fantasy films, which is why parts of it look familiar before you arrive.
The Ounila valley
The old road from Telouet drops through this valley and is a beautiful alternative approach when conditions allow.
Best experiences
- Morning climb to the granary before the coaches arrive
- Lunch on a terrace facing the ksar
- Photography from the opposite riverbank at golden hour
Tours that go there
Private tours including Ait Ben Haddou
Each route below is private, flexible and led by our own driver-guides.
